Air distributor



c N. oDAY 3,065,684

AIR DISTRIBUTOR Nov. 27, 1962 Filed May 22, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet l IVIIIIII y INVENTOR 26 25 capa/awp A. ay

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ATTORNEY Nov. 27', 1,962 c.v oD'AY AIR; DISTRIBUTOR 2 m s E K ,IH E .||..A h, f 1,. .Lf/hf VT Il@ 7l To a ATM? y F/G. 5

ATTORNEY Nv. 27, 1962 c N.Y oDAY AIR- DISTRIBUTOR Filed Manyl 22',L 1958;

INVENTOR Q11() ATTORNEYv QQCS The present invention relates to an air distributor and it particularly relates to an air distributor device in which the air may be regulated to ow outwardly, either transversely or parallelly or obliquely to the face of the wall or ceiling in which the distributor is mounted.

It is among the objects of the present invention to provide a novel air distributorwhich will be readily constructed of inexpensive materials and may be readily inserted in -a wall or ceiling structure to give a desired air distribution effect.

Another object is to provide a readily adaptable air diffuser construction which will be inserted in a wall or ceiling without marring the same or changing the appearance thereof and which will nevertheless determine broadly the control and distribution of incoming conditioning or Ventilating air in the enclosure or room in which it is placed.

Still further objects and advantages will appear in the more detailed description set forth below, it being understood, however, that this more detailed description is given by way of illustration and explanation only and not by Way of limitation, since various changes therein `may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

In accomplishing the above objects it has been found vmost satisfactory,` according to one embodiment of the .as to extend in the same direction or in different direcytions.

Where two-way distribution is desired, the louvers may extend outwardly from a central bisector toward the sides of the flaring throat, whereas if a one-way distribution pattern is desired, the obliquely positioned elements may vextend from one side of the device toward the other side thereof.

-In an alternative combination, a four-Way distribution effect is achieved by having the obliquely extending members extend toward each of the sides from a median portion. These various arrangements of obliquely outwardly extending louvers or vanes may be arranged so as to give the desired distribution pattern and one unit may be replaced by another in the flaring throat construction.

These louvers should start adjacent the commencement of the flare but should terminate substantially short of the outer face of the device.

An important feature of the present invention resides in the fact that llush with the ceiling or wall there is positioned a perforated plate, desirably having a large number of openings therein, which will be the final control of the distribution of the air pattern.

The plate should have `such a plurality of openings that the openings will occupy from 50% to 75% of the area and the face of the plate should be at least Vs to 11/2 inches from the outer edges of the obliquely disposed varies. The plate itself should desirably be of a thin gauge metal so as not to give a side bafe effect to the outflaring air.

`It hasbeen found that a 26 gauge metal of a thickness of 0.0188 ,is preferably employed. Finer gauge metals may also be employed and the thickness of the plate should generally be between 0.01v to 0.022 inch. 'Ihe act plate, however, should be sufficiently stiff that it will not be subject to vibration or bending due to the force of the air, and where there are strong outgoing currents the thickness may .be as much as 0.025 to 0.035 inch.

Another important factor of the present invention is provision of adjustable, obliquely disposed vane members which desirably should be located at the outside portions of the throat or be in addition to the outermost obliquely disposed louvers or vane elements.

Desirably the throat itself, at the base of its flaring portion, may have these adjustable members attached to the base thereof.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more specifically described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which fall within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective lower view of a tiled ceiling, showing the mounting of the air distributor of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the distributor of FIG. l with the perforated facing plate removed, more clearly to show the construction thereof, upon an enlarged scale as compared to FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an inside top view of the distributor from the opposite side, as shown in FIG. 2, showing the portion thereon which is connected to the inside conduit or duct system, upon an enlarged Scale as compared to FIG. l.

FIG. 4 is 4a diagrammatic side elevational View of the distributor of FIGS. 2 and 3, showing the manner of mounting thereof in the ceiling and the manner of connection thereof to the duct.

FIG. 5 is a transverse Sectional View upon the line 5-5 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a transverse sectional view upon the line 6--6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary transverse horizontal sectional view taken upon the line 7--7 of FIG. 4, upon an enlarged scale as compared to FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view upon the line 8-8 of FIG. 4, upon an enlarged scale as compared to FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary transverse diagonal sectional view upon the line 9-9 of FIG. 2, upon an enlarged scale as compared to FIG. 2.

FIG. l0 is an inside top perspective view of the form of an oblique vane or louver construction, showing a fourway distribution pattern, as utilized in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 9.

FIG. l1 is an inside top perspective view of an alternative form of arrangement of oblique vanes or louvers, showing the two-way distribution pattern.

FIG. l2 is an inside fragmentary perspective view, showing an alternative form of air distributor in which the distributor is mounted upon the duct, rather than upon the is-ie of FIG; 1a.l

FIG. 17 is a top inside perspective view of the oblique vane or louver construction of FIGS. 12 to 16.

FIG. 18 is a top inside perspective View of an alternative form of a removable oblique vane or louver construction which may be inserted in the embodiment of FIGS. l2 to 16 in lieu of the unit of FIG. 17.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 10, there is shown a ceiling A having a plurality of sound absorbative tiles mounted therein with an air distributing device mounted in said ceiling in lieu of one of said tiles.

The air distribution unit, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 10, is detachably mounted on an internal duct or conduit system E by means of the inside telescoping throat F.

The inside telescoping throat F has a shallow flaring throat portion G which terminates in a flat llange H parallel to the ceiling and a peripherally transverse flange I fitting in an opening K in the ceiling A.

The internal unit L, which is shown in the form as used in FIG. and which may be replaced by an alternative form of internal unit M, as shown in FIG. 11, is provided with the obliquely disposed, outwardly extending director vanes N, O, P and Q, which extend in four different directions in FIG. 10, or R and S, which extend in two different directions in FIG. 11.

These vanes are mounted upon an interior .framework construction T and U, provided with the readily removable mounting strips V and W.

The flaring sides G are desirably provided with the adjustable outside vanes X, which are pivotally mounted so that they may be swung so as to extend transversely lacross the direction of, or llow outwardly at the peripheral portion of the flaring throat G of the diffuser.

Referring particularly to FIG. 10, there are shown the main bars 20 of the framework upon which are mounted the top transverse members 21 and 22, which carry the outwardly flaring vanes N and P.

These side bars 20 also carry the downwardly flaring vanes O and Q.

The bars 2i) are mounted by means of the end tabs 23 upon the attachment bars T and V which have the ilexible end portions 25 having the attachment noses or tongues 26.

These noses or tongues 26, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, may be received in the slots 27 of the collar portion F of the flaring throat G.

These tongues may be spread when it is desired to remove the units of FIGS. l0 and 1l or to replace these units by inserting a screw driver which will permit the tongue to move to the dot and dash position, as shown in FIG. 7, whereupon the internal units 10 and 11 may be removed.

The flaring throat G has mounted thereon the hinge connections 28, having the mounting plates 29 for the swinging vanes X. These vanes are all about the same depth and length as the oblique louvers N, O P, and Q, and, as shown in FIG. 2, they extend the full width of the throat and may be adjustably positioned so as to lie against the flaring sides of the throat G or so as to eX- tend transversely across the outllowing stream of air when they are moved inwardly, as indicated by the arrows so in FIGS. 5 and 6.

tion of air flow will tend to separate itself from the ceiling or wall more than if the vanes X were turned so as to contact the Illaring throat.

The more these vanes are turned away from the oblique position of the louvers to a normal position parallel to the axis 31, as indicated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the greater the tendency of the outflowing air to be perpendicular to the wall and parallel to the direction of the axis, as indicated at 31.

An important feature of the present invention resides in the perforated facing plate Y, which gives a final distribution to the air and finally controls the distribution thereof. This plate is desirably of tine gauge so as not to act as a lateral |balle, and at least 50%, and desirably to 65% of the area should be covered by circular openings, usually of equal diameter and finely spaced over the face thereof.

Square perforations may also be used, as may hexagonal perforations, but the preference is for circular perforations arranged in aligned or staggered rows, with the preferred pattern being shown in FIG. 2. In all cases, at `least 50% of the plate Y should be occupied by the circular openings 39 and the gauge of the plate should be 26, or less in the preferred form.

The plate desirably extends over the entire area of the widest portion of the Iflaring throat G and the periphery of the plate is enclosed over the entire edge thereof by a U cross section lip 40, which holds the plate rigid in position and also receives the attachment screw 41. The plate will tit against the flat portion H and lts edge will llt into the recess 42 Iformed by the `grooved ridge around the periphery of the throat.

This ridge connects the -flat portion H and the flange portion J and should be flush with the face 44 of the wall A, as indicated in FIGS. 5, 6 and 9.

These openings, as indicated in FIGS. 2 Iand 9, extend 4to the edge 45 of the tlaring throat portion G and they cause `a pattern of air distribution which has been initially formed by the fixed oblique louvers N, O, P and Q and the movable louvers X, to be controlled as it passes in-to the room or enclosure.

The mounting screws 50, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, will detachably secure the inside end F of the throat portion G to the inside of the duct or conduit E, and, if desired, bayonet connections may 'be utilized to enable the entire flaring unit G, with its `attachment portion F and the outside llange I, to be removed.

However, it is sulllcient to remove the distribution units 10 and 11 to give the varied pattern and distribution of air with substitution of different vane arrangements N, O, P Iand Q in the form of FIG. l0, and S and R in the form of FIG. 11. It will `be noted that the outer edges of the oblique vanes N terminate at about half the depth of the flaring throat G .and `do not extend to the perforated face plate Y.

This provides an area between the perforated face -plate Y and the ends of the vanes or louvers N, O, P,

-Q and X in which the oblique direction-al control has an opportunity to stabilize itself before it is then controlled by the limited area of the openings 39, which control it in its ilow across the face plate Y.

In general, however, with the vanes X moved back against the sides `of the ilaring throat G, the air flowing through the face plate Y will ltend to take a direction parallel to or at an acute angle to the face of the wall or ceiling. On any side where the plate X is turned tow-ard the axis 31 and away from the tlaring portion G,

the direction of the air through the openings 39 in the face plate Y will tend to assume a more normal direction to the wall or ceiling.

In this manner, by merely removing the face plate Y through the four corner screws 41, it is possible to shift the position of these control plates, X, as shown in FIG. 2.

`On the other hand, to control the vane relationship, the four screws 41 are removed and then, by spreading the nose engagement 26 by screw driver, it is possible to remove the fixed louver or vane unit of IFIG. 10 or 1l from its engagement position inside of the portion 3F and then to replace it wi-th another unit.

It will be noted that the edges of the noses or tongues are cammedv at 32 (see FIGS. 8, 10 and 11) so that when the unit of FIG. 1() or 11 is moved into position the nose portions or engagement portions 26 will be forced into the dot and dash line position of FIG. 7 and Athen will snap into the slots 27 when they are in proper position.

The entire unit, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, gives a most satisfactory control of air distribution and the combination of the oblique, fixed, and movable vanes, together with the perforated face plate, will most satisfactorily take care of the air distribution.

In respect to the second form of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 12 to 18, the ceiling 60 in this instance carries the peripheral flange 61 of the air 4diiuser 62.

As shown in FIGS. 14, and 16, the peripheral flange 61. has a at portion 62 fit-ting `directly against the face 63 `of the ceiling 60 and it also has a recessed portion 64, which may receive a sealing material. The daring throat portion `65 may also receive the hinge plates 66, which carry the hinges 67 on which there are mounted the adjustable outside oblique vanes 68.

The perforated face plate 69 may be engaged along its edges by the U cross section edge engagement 7i), provided with four corner screws 71, and it should be flush with the face of the outside yflange 61. The screen may be of the same construction as shown in connection with the element Y of FIGS. 1 to 9.

The inside throat portions '72 may be held by screws or .bayonet connections to the end 73 of the conduit, and the slots 74 are designed to engage the cam shaped nose portions 75 ofthe units of FIGS. 17 and 18.

As yshown in FIG. 17, the oblique vanes 7-5 all extend in one direction and they are mounted by means of the cross lbars 77, -the ends of which fit into the slots 78 and the longitudinal bars 79. These ends are turned over to form the tabs 30 which hold the vanes '76 in position.

The end members 81 carry the cam attachment element 75, and the longitudinal bars 79 also carry the downwardly and outwardly extending side vanes or louvers 82.

This unit, as shown in FIG. 17, will primarily direct most of the air in one direction, with the side vanes 82 controlling part of the stream on each side of the main set of vanes 76.

Usually four of the adjacent vanes 68 will also be employed so as to enable adjustment of the flow of air when the screen 69 is removed.

In the alternative form shown in FIG. 18 the side vanes 82 have been removed and al1 of the vanes 95 will extend in one direction and they will be mounted by the transverse bars 96 on the attachment elements 97. The attachment elements 97 carry the transverse bars 96 by means of the end tabs 98.

In the form shown in FIG. 18 there is an additional vane 99 having the transverse bar 190, which is held in space relationship by means of the members 1.01. By providing additional vanes 99, additional control may be provided.

It will be noted that FIGS. 17 and 18 provide substantially for opposite control of the air, with the major stream being directed in the direction 102 in FIG. 17 and at 90 thereof at 103` in FIG. 18.

The adjustment vanes 68 may be adjusted to control the normality of the outgoing air with the perforated face plate giving the balance of the outgoing control. The air diffuser of FIGS. 1 to 18 gives a balanced air distribution effect and enables variable inside control with a perforated face plate giving the iinal control and regulating the air distribution in a wide range from a direction which is parallel to the ceiling or wall to a direction which is normal to the ceiling or wall.

As many changes could be made in the above air distributor, and many widely dilerent embodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the scope of the claims, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, what is claimed is:

1. An air distribution control for the outllowing ventilating or conditioning air from an internal duct system to and through the ceiling of the room and enclosure receiving the air, having an attachment collar attached to the end of the duct system, an outwardly aring throat, a plurality of obliquely disposed air directing flat metal rectangular vanes in the flaring throat and mounted at one edge thereof at the narrowest portion of the throat and extending obliquely outwardly toward the widest portion of the throat and a perforated outlet plate across the outside of the flaring throat, said perforated plate being flush with the wall and ceiling and said vanes being fixed in the middle portion of the throat and extending from side to side of the throat, hinge connections at the upper edges of the throat between the attachment collar and the flaring throat, means for mounting the hinge connection on the throat, movable vanes carried by said hinge connections, said movable vanes being movable toward and away from the liaring throat, means to carry and support sai-d movable vanes at the narrowest part of the throat, and means to carry and support said plate at the widest part of the throat.

2. An air distribution control for the outflowing Ventilating or conditioning air from an internal duct system to and through the ceiling of the room and enclosure receiving the air, having an attachment collar attached to the end yof the duct system, an outwardly aring throat, a plurality of obliquely Vdisposed air directing at metal rectangular vanes in the iaring throat and mounted at one edge thereof at the narrowest portion of the throat and extending obliquely outwardly toward the widest of the throat and a perforated outlet plate across the outside of the haring throat, said vanes being carried on a detachable structure and a camming arrangement permitting ready removal and replacement of said vanes in said attachment collar, said perforated plate being lush with the wall and ceiling and said vanes being lixed in the middle portion of the throat and extending from side to side of the throat, hinge connections atthe upper edges of the throat between the attachment collar and the flaring throat, means for mounting the hinge connections on the throat, movable vanes being carried by said hinge connections, said movable vanes being movable toward and away from the aring throat and means to carry and support said movable vanes at the narrowest part of the throat and means to carry and support said plate at the widest part of the throat.

3. An air distribution control for the outowing ventilating or conditioning air from an internal duct system to and through the ceiling of the room and enclosure receiving the air, having an attachment collar attached to the end of the duct system, an outwardly flaring throat, a plurality of obliquely disposed air directing at metal rectangular vanes in the Haring throat and mounted at one edge thereof at the narrowest portion of the throat and extending obliquely outwardly toward the widest portion of the throat and a perforated outlet plate across the outside of the Haring throat, said attachment collar providing a readily removable means providing attachment of the throat as well as the vanes from the end of the duct system, said perforated plate being liush with the wall and ceiling and said vanes being xed in the middle portion of the throat and extending from the side to side of the throat, hinge connections at the outside edges of the throat between the attachment collar and the flaring throat, means for mounting the hinge connections on the throat, movable vanes carried by said hinge connection, said movable vanes being movable toward and away from the flaring throat and means to carry and support said movable vanes at the narrowest part of the throat and means to carry and support said plate at the widest part of the throat.

4. A ceiling diluser having a straight inside connecting throat with an axis transverse to the ceiling, an inwardly ilaring throat connecting the transverse throat to the ceiling face, a perforated outlet plate flush with the ceiling face, and means to support the plate at the widest part of the throat at the periphery of the plate to cover the widest part of the throat, and a removable parallel obliquely positioned multiple vane unit detachably mounted at the junction of the transverse and Haring throat and having central fixed vanes and outside movable vanes, said vanes being of iiat rectangular sheet metal and being mounted at the narrowest portion of the throat, said vanes obliquely directing any air ilowing through the diffuser outwardly toward the periphery of the perforated outlet plate, said removable unit having side transversely extending mounting bars with ilexible end portions to engage the junction of the transverse and ilaring throats, said iiexible end portions having triangular end tabs and recesses in said junction to receive said tabs.

5. In a rectangular ceiling outlet air distributor of the type recessed into the ceiling and having its outlet face received in a rectangular opening in the ceiling and with its outlet face in the same plane as and flush with the ceiling, said air distributor having an inlet conduit to the distribtuor with the outlet end of said inlet conduit being spaced substantially above and having its axis transverse to the ceiling and a downwardly and outwardly aring and divergent throat connected at its upper narrowest end to the outlet end of the inlet conduit and at its lower widest end to said rectangular opening in the ceiling, and a plurality of oblique downwardly extending vanes mounted at their upper ends at the outlet end of the inlet conduit and extending downwardly into the divergent throat and being arranged in two groups, a central group of xed obliquely disposed vanes and a peripheral group of obliquely disposed adjustable vanes, the lower ends of the vanes terminating above the rectangular ceiling opening and short of the sides of the throat, and a perforated face plate closing and extending across the outer end of the divergent throat and located substantially in the plane of the ceiling.

6. The distributor of claim 5, wherein said central group of vanes have a detachable mounting frame and means to detachably mount said frame at the outlet end of the inlet conduit.

7. The distributor of claim 5, said iixed vanes being provided with a mounting frame consisting of a plurality of transversely disposed mounting members and means to detachably position said mounting members at the junction of the ilaring throat and the inlet conduit.

References Qited in the le of this patent UNTED STATES PATENTS 

